Changing your point of view

[Stradageek]

Having an intolerably racist mother who will not move on from her indoctrination in colonial South Africa as a teenager, I am sensitive to, and regularly dismayed, by the number of discussions on this forum that highlight the same intransigence in so many of those posting and their intolerance of other peoples views.

So here's a challenge:

Name a discussion that you have been part of, on this forum, that has changed your attitude/point of view. There's a lot in this world that needs to change but this can't happen unless we show a willingness to change ourselves.

My bicycle related 'starter for ten':

I once posted my annoyance at horses that were spooked by my recumbent, arguing that a horse that couldn't be controlled shouldn't be on the road. I was reminded, on this forum, that public highways are for everyone's use and I should mend my ways. Since then I hail riders from a considerable distance and regularly stop and chat to the riders if the horse looks at all uncertain. My rides are now punctuated by pleasant chatty interludes and the world is a happier place.

Anyone else willing to own up?

[Jdsk]

Closest I can think of is the desirability of eBIkes, but it started when we cycled across France, which was a bit before I joined this forum. But it's been enormously reinforced by what I've read here.

Jonathan

[pwa]

I started off on this forum as a lycra wearer who despised riding in baggy shorts. But after a bit of persuasion I gave them a go and now favour baggy shorts with lycra / padded liners.

My elderly mother is less racist than she was. Her racism is now of the more subtle, unconscious type.

[Jdsk]

I once posted my annoyance at horses that were spooked by my recumbent...

I hadn't seen that, but I've experienced it. Couldn't work out what was going on, and it was starting to feel dangerous... and then I stood up.

Jonathan

[Si]

H*lm*ts

Vehicular cycling Vs quality infra

[Mick F]

Name a discussion that you have been part of, on this forum, that has changed your attitude/point of view.

I can't. It's too specific, so I'm answering the question differently to the way you've asked it.

I believe there are hundreds of threads on here that have altered my perspective a little bit each. As a whole, this forum is influential and informative and I've learned a heck of a lot. In a cycle-related way, it's changed me considerably.

[kwackers]

Modal shifts are a rare thing IMO - apart from the odd eureka moment.
Probably the nearest I've come to that is helmets.

My viewpoints have definitely shifted over the years and even if I think someone is talking nonsense I often think they have some valid points which probably help shift them.

[Jdsk]

As a whole, this forum is influential and informative and I've learned a heck of a lot.

Don't know about influential but it's very informative. That's both generally and specifically when I've been stuck and asked for help.

Jonathan

[Bonefishblues]

Name a discussion that you have been part of, on this forum, that has changed your attitude/point of view.

I can't. It's too specific, so I'm answering the question differently to the way you've asked it.

I believe there are hundreds of threads on here that have altered my perspective a little bit each. As a whole, this forum is influential and informative and I've learned a heck of a lot. In a cycle-related way, it's changed me considerably.

Yes, I think that's something I can subscribe to, also. The breadth and depth of knowledge is remarkable.

[pwa]

On the subject of helmets, I still prefer the idea of having a helmet if and when I fall off, so I still wear one on all but the shortest rides, but listening to anti-helmet arguments here has made me more appreciative of other views and has turned me away from making helmets compulsory. I would now vote against compulsion if it came to that.

[Psamathe]

Name a discussion that you have been part of, on this forum, that has changed your attitude/point of view.

I think you are looking at "attitude/point of view" as far too black and white. There are probably very few threads where I don't develop my thoughts, slightly adjust my viewpoint even if just appreciating the opinions of others sometimes adding uncertainty, etc..

Intransigence is not about switching "agree" to "disagree" (or vice versa) but most things are degrees of opinion, a continuous spectrum.

Ian

[thirdcrank]

There is indeed a vast amount of knowledge/ expertise shared by members of this forum and if it wasn't for forgetting stuff, I'be be able to say that I'm much better-informed as the result of being a member of this forum than would otherwise be the case.

It seems to me that the OP is asking about prejudice. Obviously, that's for others to judge and it would be nice to think they would do so on the basis of evidence, rather than their own prejudices. Like most BOFs, I come with my own baggage: eg a complete lack of any religious faith; antipathy towards party politicians; ditto highwaymen; no time for Sustrans; reservations about the charity sector; "Remainer". Others must have noticed more. I cannot point to anything where somebody on this forum has disabused me of any of this. To the extent that some of my opinions/ prejudices have changed since I first joined the earlier version of this forum, I feel that that has come about through other influences.
======================================

Let's not change this into a helmet debate.

==========================================

The OP used apartheid as an example and that is pretty much black and white.

[Oldjohnw]

Of course it isn't intransigent to read various points of view then retain your original view. But it is always useful to see the other views and not reject them out of hand.

I am not aware of any 180° turns in my views but I am aware of having a more nuanced view in many things. Modest but cumulative changes.

[Jdsk]

Like most BOFs, I come with my own baggage: eg a complete lack of any religious faith; antipathy towards party politicians; ditto highwaymen; no time for Sustrans; reservations about the charity sector; "Remainer". Others must have noticed more.

I've noticed that you're consistently able to bring your own professional experiences to bear on social problems in ways that are informative and constructive. So you can knock the "B" off!

Jonathan

[thirdcrank]

... I've noticed that you're consistently able to bring your own professional experiences to bear on social problems in ways that are informative and constructive. So you can knock the "B" off!

You are too kind. I do think I can tell the difference between evidence and opinion. Also, as well as experience I'm not completely uneducated. As for the "boring" bit, I'm aware that the length of many of my posts deters some people from reading them